TAIPEI, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The anticipated mating between a pair of famous pandas, now at the Taipei Zoo, is not only attracting the attention of zoologists, panda lovers but also a visiting mainland Communist Party chief.

A memo was signed by the Taipei Zoo and Sichuan-based China Wolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center to jointly research the reproduction of giant pandas, at a ceremony here Friday attended by visiting Sichuan party chief Liu Qibao and Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin.

The five-year-old pandas, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, a gift from the mainland, were moved from their hometown in Sichuan to the Taipei Zoo in December, 2008.

It was initially anticipated that the pair would start reproducing in 2009.

Yuan Yuan, the female panda, has gone on heat twice but Tuan Tuan, the male one a few months younger, was not ready yet.

The China Wolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center sent its most renowned expert on panda reproduction Zhang Hemin to help the Taipei Zoo, said Liu, on the last day of his four-day visit in the island.

"I hope the pandas give birth to their first cub as early as possible and have more in the future," he said.

Zhang has been in Taipei for a week.

"The two pandas came to Taiwan, a gift of friendship from Sichuan. They are an important symbol of peaceful development across the Strait. People from both sides care them very much," said Liu.